Crossroad And Decision - Part I
My finals are approaching soon, about roughly 3 weeks from now. This trimester will be different from other trimesters, because the subjects I am taking this trimester are very difficult. I have attended most of the lectures, tutorials and extra classes (except for 1 subject), yet the situation / condition doesn’t differ much from what I am now. Hence, my worst case scenario for this trimester will be 3 Fs, as in all 3 subjects. -touchwood-
If it really happens, there will be a whole new level of thunderstorm between my parents and I. -touchwood- After all, the sea has been too calm for the past 12 months. My mum will be asking requesting me to stop studying and choose to work. My dad, by putting guilt and pressure, will let me make my own decision. I still love them though. -shrugs-
Perhaps, it is time for me to make a decision. A decision that will change my life after that. A decision that will show me the path that I will walk in the future. A decision between to quit my engineering degree in MMU and focus on my current part time job, turning it into a full time job or to continue my engineering degree and work part time.
I did briefly mention to my dad that I was considering of working my way up in the field of journalism while studying few months ago. The feedback I got was, well, my dad was disappointed and reminded me the usual stuffs. I put down the thoughts for a while, and made an agreement with my editor that I will not work before the exam period, during the exam period and days I have classes.
Click here for the flashback on why and how I ended up in engineering, when I should have taken other courses like journalism or mass communication.
What if I continue my engineering degree… (I assume I manage to graduate.)
1. I have a degree.
2. I have more options in my job choices.
3. A degree, regardless of what course it is, it will make a difference in my job seeking / be a stepping stone for my career.
4. I need at least 2 more years to graduate, provided I don’t fail any subjects.
5. I need at least RM30k to finish my degree, provided everything goes smoothly. It will be more than RM30k if it doesn’t.
6. I am studying a course which is totally different from what I want to be and / or I am interested in.
7. I don’t know how long my parents can withstand the disappointment I give them each time I show them my result slip.
8. I am not very young, neither my parents.
9. I doubt I want to be an engineer.
What if I quit my studies and work…
1. I don’t have a degree.
2. I have limited choices when it comes to job choices.
3. I am at a disadvantage side when it comes to interviews and job seekings.
4. A friend of my dad told me that my dad wasn’t really “OK” with my working in journalism field.
5. What are my parents going to say if I make this decision, when they expect me to graduate?
6. How far can I go, in terms of basic salary, salary increment, promotions,
supporting a familywithout a degree?7. I won’t be wasting my money to study a course that I am not interested with and / or whether I am able to graduate or not.
8. I won’t be wasting my time to study a course that I am not interested with and / or whether I am able to graduate or not.
9. I already have a platform for me to kick start my career, with supervision and guidance from my editor.
10. I enjoy working in a field that I am interested with, as for now.
11. I still need to get a degree, sooner or later; but maybe not now.
I know, everyone out there isn’t able to help me in making decisions but mere advising. It still comes down to me, and me sorting things out with my parents. Not to mention, I haven’t ask my editor’s opinion on taking the job as a full timer. However, talking stuffs like this with my parents usually end up with no solution, shouting at me, getting mad at me and also, me grumbling about them.
Maybe I will just study for the mean time, until this trimester’s result is released.
Decision, decision, decision.
P/S : Chris a.k.a KampungKai also faced the situation sometime back. He quitted his engineering course in MMU and joined MAS to be a LAME (Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer). I guess, he faced an equally amount of confusion, and took him lots of courage to make the decision. But, to him, there’s no regrets, right?
Related posts:
September 24th, 2006 14:10
i made a huge shift for my studies too. And i’m now responsible for consequences without hindering much ppl around me… Read my mail to u later la yeah… things will be good. Awh… can’t believe i’m the first! ;-)
September 24th, 2006 14:14
huiyo…
everytime i receive ur password, also feel something goes wrong…
hmm..tough decision, i think u wont forget what we (kiasi, me and juju) tell u when at klcc rite?
if u think u love the the journalism field, then u go ahead, dun regret what u choose… but u have to work as that for ur life…. unless after u continue get ur degree again…
aighhh aighhh…..
September 24th, 2006 14:54
well well…. u r damn right, i was cracking my head like splitting open a durian back then. finally i understood why we studied ‘the road not taken’ during SPM. I decided to take the path less taken, though it was slow and winding with lots of obstacles.
take the different path my pal, it takes courage, serious courage. gotta sacrifice lotsa things in life. Dissapointment, sarcastism, scolding… it all comes in a package. But at the end of the day, the fruit will be sweet.
All the best.
September 24th, 2006 15:14
i would stick to engineering
September 24th, 2006 16:03
i think you should go pursue a mass comm degree. u can’t force yourself to do something that you don’t like.
so what if you have a degree in engineering? You might not even want to pursue a career in engineering and how can an engineering degree beautify a job application for some journalism job?
September 24th, 2006 17:46
welll………………………that was the dilemma i went through…choosing engineering over journalism…i still regret my choice from time to time…..but what the fuck..haha
September 24th, 2006 18:18
bro… i totally agree with jayelle, pursue a mass com. degree bro…
September 24th, 2006 18:37
this is crazy but,
quit.
and pursue journalism. at the same time pursue a part time diploma course. get some sort of certification. be it in IT or in other fields, a cert is always an advantage.
after the diploma course, you might want to further and get a degree.
why not just get a business diploma first?
September 24th, 2006 18:54
first time receiving a password from u, so i assume this has to be stg serious.
IMO, since u got only 2 years left, i suggest u finish ur engineering degree first. u already ploughed through Alpha and 2 years of your degree. so im sure u have what it takes to go on. Touchwood, if things doesnt turn out right in ur journalism career, u still have an engineering degree to fall back on.
ive been in ur position before. ive always liked business/computer engineering, but my parents advised me against it. they never said no, but they always reminded me that im old enuf to think abt my own future. after thinkin abt the pros and cons, and also my interest in meddling with machines and stuff, i decided to do mechanical engineering. its the best choice for me, since theres interest and a secure future. besides, later i can actually do a business related to engineering.
anyways, back to ur story. 2 more years Jason, u can do it. Once ure done with this, at least u have 2 fields to choose from. U dont wanna jump into the journalism bandwagon so fast without a degree. Of course u can pursue mass com or stg later, but hey, having 2 degrees is definitely better than one right? And dont worry abt the 30k, im sure ur parents are more than willing to pay if ure willing to study. And they say that MMU, even how bad ur result is, at the end of the day, ull still get that damn graduation scroll. cmon man, you CAN do it!
2 years bro, its nothin.
September 24th, 2006 19:32
It all boils down to what you eventually WANT :)) Maybe you’d like to talk to your Editor/Supervisor to know how is it like to be working as a Journalist/Reporter before making that leap? We make decisions everyday, no doubt, but the challeng is to make decisions that we will NOT regret later. Think about it :))
September 24th, 2006 20:59
finish it, or you will regret it when u 25 or 30 …
September 25th, 2006 07:04
my guess is you should at least finish your first degree… coz that is the minimum requirement for any job application now… a degree doesn’t mean you have to get into the career… it’s just something to show that you have went through the process of studying in the university… to show that you can be responsible for something (even if it’s not towards your liking)… I didn’t went into engineering as well after my graduation also mah :P
it’s not about dissapointing your parents or watever… it’s always about being responsible to yourself I guess… if you start working now… I don’t think any company will pay you well… coz you don’t have a basic degree… and it will be very difficult to go back to study once you are already working :)
September 25th, 2006 08:52
Well Jason, finish up ur engineering degree 1st. Ya, i know its damn ‘painful and hard’ to do something u do not have interest in. Mayb u shud stop ur part-time job for the time-being and concentrate on study. Even if u failed ur exam*Touchwood*, u can stil tell ur parent that u have try ur best with all ur time studying and not doing other thing (eg, journalist, going around snapping / reviewing food).
After 2 yr time, mayb u can be ‘Engineer Journalist’. Someone who write article bout engineering stuff and aso general stuff. U hv tis advantage, right?!
September 25th, 2006 09:07
i would adv u continue study as suggested by egghead! To me & my hubby, we still think a paper of certificate is VERY important, as a basic requirement to “cari makan” nowadays. One day u might think to quit as jounalist, then u will hv problem in seeking new job, without a cert. in hand. It’s really true that market now req. that “paper” as min requirement, unless u willing to work as GM(General Worker)..:P
…will it be later to change course now?
September 25th, 2006 10:07
i had a thought.
If you are going to use at least another RM30k to finish ur engineering course, why not you change to other course which u are interested in?
Like that, at least u can finish ur degree easily, and worth the amount of spending ma.
Degree is a very basic requirement. u knew this very well.
与其浪费时间与金钱在你不感兴趣的课程，不如赶快转方向。
不要再每天找我玩 solitaire 了。 哈哈哈
September 25th, 2006 14:12
I think you already know.. what you wanna do.. Jason… but you also wanna get confirmation or re-assurance from other ppl.. to support your decision.
Whatever you wanna or decided to do.. i wish you all the best. Pursue whatever you are planning to do.. with ardent and your utmost. You are still young.. and it’s ok.. if you decided that this is not what you want.. and you want to do other things. Do everything with a clear conscience.. and do it with utmost respect .. for yourself.. :) No need to prove your worth to anyone..but yourself.. :) Just as long as you donch hurt anyone.. along the way.. and commit any crime.. i think yer’ll be alright.
Good luck .. Ja..!
September 25th, 2006 20:24
dude…i was confuse too.
From Pre-u of engineering i’ve change to diploma in media technology, which is study about art and broadcast.
it wasnt really easy for me to talk to my parents about i wanted to change course, since i have wasted 1++ year in pre-u.
I have frens that is drop out. they earn more than those degree holder.
it really up to u to choose.
September 25th, 2006 20:50
hm.. let’s see. How old are you, again? Still young ma. I know lots of people nowadays not graduating by the age of 25! Ask SoGua!
But seriously, when I read ur post about how you ended up in engineering, God, I cannot imagine why you did not turn back when you still had the time! But I guess its not too late yet. Whatever the decision is, there’s the pros and the cons. If you ask me, I’ll follow my heart. Already you are suffering through this course, can you “suffer” for another 2 yrs only to get a “degree” that is “useless” because its not even in the “requirement” column of your job application or not even the interviewer bother to glance through it?
I’ve not much knowledge about what journalism or engineering industry requires but by the sounds of it, its like both ends of the world. If you really wanna pursue more into journalism (which I totally think you have plenty of talents, you may even be the next JK Rowling or who’s the guy that wrote LOTR) then go for it. Then, go study part time courses. Courses that are “Worthy” to add marks to your resume and work experience. Its difficult studying part time but I believe its always easier when you have the basic, which is, your interest!
Your parents may not understand in the first place but you can always tell them your plans (er, provided you have your plan 1st la). In the end, they will know that you only want to choose what’s for yourself and not for other people
Earning more or less, really, in Malaysia, its not about what you degree you have (unless you’re in those really hardcode knowledge base job), but about the dedication and effort you put into it with your employer acknowledging it.
** OH, BTW, the “paper” is only the MNC will look at it la (this is base on my experience in the business world. not sure if it applies to the other industries)
September 25th, 2006 23:32
Actually Engineering is so interesting, why you don’t like ? All the equations with subscripts, superscripts so sud sud man…I have so much respect for engineers who turn cold hard machines into engines of beauty like the aircraft, armour tanks, build tall buildings…
Anything is fun, if you see the beauty in it. Maybe for once, pick up an engineering text book and love the topic for what it is. You seem to have developed a phobia towards it. And have two minds about your future path.
Learn to love it. Take the journalist job as side income. Now 4 digit mah, can see you through your course liao. Must focus. Dun be too distracted. Focus. Dive deep into the engineering course and just chiong gah liao.
Dun be scared to make a choice now. This kind go wrong one step can still gostan later one. So.. good luck! :) smile smile smile, enjoy the headache..hahaha heng ah, not me…hehehe
September 25th, 2006 23:33
wow, btw, that’s such a beautiful picture of your parents up there. they look so happy.
September 25th, 2006 23:57
hmm… i agree with egghead…
anyway, the decission is on ur hands…
n i hope u won’t regret for any of ur decisions
bcos there will be no return
good luck loR….
p/s: u r the combination of ur parents… =)
September 26th, 2006 00:06
tough decision.
ask yourself what you want? that is your future, not someone else future, not your parent’s future.
if you find engineer is not what you want to be then why waste your time there? if you go for working as journalist now, there still chances for you to persuade degree on the same field.
I don’t know, I quit from fine art last time, even though I got the scholarship, tough choice, my parent were mad about it. but I glad I did, because that was really not what I want, but do I feel regret? yes, sometime, everyone feel regret to what they have done, but even though if I didn’t quit, I still might feel regret and ask myself why I didn’t
to me, may be working as full time, and part time attend the related classed for degree.
September 26th, 2006 00:06
Dear Jason,
Sorry la u gotta read more this time. Leaving this in the comments I guess it might truncated…
Reading that post made me feel familiar. I was once jsut like you… After SPM, worked part time. Then tried STPM for one week only. Then headed to Stamford Malacca to study computer science. I was not very very interested, just quite. Taking CompSc just because my brother thinks that field has a better future… But still I managed to complete my diploma. Soon after that I stopped furthering to degree. Reason, no more ppl to support me financially, and i find it tough - if i cannot be outstanding, it’d be hard for me to compete with others to get a job. So from then i started to work. And also to save some money, and gathering info on getting into mmu, to take a degree course on something more general which I can apply everywhere. CompSc was way too specific for me. After about one year I reported myself in mmu, beta student at the age of 22. My other mates are almost graduating…! I survive mostly from my part time job (fuel, insurance premium are my 2 big husbands…) and of course, ptptn money loh (yeah so, ensuring certain performance in the result speaks loud here too - else, no loan will be released ma..). Now I hardly take allowance from my parents or brother.
Like you… I guess you’re much better. Coz they’re options for you which is better (yeah I think so) and… you’re younger to realize this! Heh. I think you already have the answer with you, isn’t it. Just that you gotta figure out how to 交代 especially to your parents. 爸妈或许对你有不同的期望。但无论如何，前途是你的；选择也是你的。到头来要对所有事负责任的也是你。选择自己爱做的需要很大的勇气，同时也需要有足够的周详计划－做最好准备，及最坏打算。爸妈大概是担心你还不晓为自己打算所以才希望你能大学毕业。既然真的觉得 9981;能再撑下去，就悬崖勒马吧。At least, not wasting the money and time, stop torturing urself. And you can work save money (!!) on your own, and in future plan for a degree studies that you like (part time or full time) - on your own without bothering them financially. Getting a degree is never too late as long as you have the will. No one can stop you… Some ppl laught at me too… saying me that old already still wanna study. 理别人怎么说，当他们机车好了！你的前途不用别人来多事操心。你跌到焦头烂额的时候这些话多多的会来伸出援手吗？还不是要自己慢慢爬起来…
Journalism is not sth bad at all. There’re lots of ppl paying to study this course too. 很多时候父母会担心我们的选择不恰当，原因多是他们不了解，或只是看见它的坏而忽略了它的好。作为子女的最重要是不论做什么都好；千万不要让老人家替我们担心。所以开口和他们展开和平对话是必定的！Tell them that we can take care of our own future is essential and on top of all - proving it. They might not believe you or might not support you at all initially. But, prove it. It’s for urself too. They will get soften one day and you’ll earn credits.
靠自己吧。靠自己嬴取回来的成绩是没人能多话的。靠自己努力的人是可以大大声讲话的… （嘿嘿但人可要谦虚哦）过程虽然苦了一点，但这些都是很好的磨炼－我们往后人生的维他命！Life doesn’t promise smoothness; but God allow us to work hard for everything we want. Let me share some quotes from one of my favourite author/philosopher with you… i remind myself with them whenever i’m lost. I hope they’d somehow inspire you too.
我知道这封伊妹儿很长，读了可能以后见到我也要假假看不到。可是这个连写博客也没写得这么殷勤的懒人可以在这里如此语重心长句句真心…你最好感觉荣幸咯… ;-)
Youth is a time when you worry and agonize over all kinds of problems. It is also a time when you can soar with energy and enthusiasm - a time to burn with hopes and dreams. Youth is a struggle between problems and hopes. “You mustn’t let your problems defeat you and ruin your life, and make your family sad. those who triumph over their problems and advance in the direction of hope lead wonderful lives. - Daisaku Ikeda
Your studies are of course important. But the grades you get in school wil not determine the course of your entire life. Your future depends on the efforts you make and whether or not you are walking the correct path. It’s not important how you compare to others, but how you compare to who you were yesterday. If you see that you’ve advanced even one step, you’ve achieved a victory. - Daisaku Ikeda
There is a saying that urges, “Excel at something!” It is important to become a person who is trusted by others whenever you are, and a person who shines with excellene. Sometimes a person may dislike his job at first, but grow to love it once he become serious about doing his best. “What one likes, one will do well,” goes another saying. Growing to like your job can also enable you to develop your own talent. Once you have made a decision to work at a certain place, it is important that you pursue the path you have chosen wihout being discouraged or defeated; so that you will have no regrets in making that choice. - Daisaku Ikeda
选你所爱.
September 26th, 2006 01:58
twinsmom is right…
October 3rd, 2006 00:50
brader, a man gotta do what a man gotta do ler …..